Control device for a bicycle and bicycle comprising such a device

Abstract

A control device for a bicycle, has a first body adapted to be attached to a bicycle handlebar, at least one control member of at least one bicycle component, and a second body, distinct from the first body, connected to the first body to increase a grip surface of the control device and/or to vary the relative position of the at least one control member with respect to the handlebar of the bicycle, so as to adapt the control device to the size of the cyclist's hand.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A control device configured for attachment to a handlebar of a bicycle, the control device comprising:
 a first body including an upper transversal surface and a lowermost surface, the upper transversal surface defines an upper transversal wall of the control device; 
 a brake control lever; and 
 a second body that is distinct from the first body, in contact with the lowermost surface of the first body, the second body being positioned entirely below the first body, and the second body having a lower surface which defines a lower transversal wall of the control device, wherein the first body and the second body combine to define a rearmost face of the control device that is configured to contact the handlebar. 
 
     
     
       2. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the second body is configured to vary a distance between the brake control lever and the handlebar. 
     
     
       3. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the second body is connected to the first body at respective coupling surfaces having a matching shape. 
     
     
       4. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the second body is positioned in a single predetermined position with respect to the first body. 
     
     
       5. The device according to  claim 4 , wherein the second body is connected to the first body through screws. 
     
     
       6. The device according to  claim 4 , wherein the second body is connected to the first body through glue. 
     
     
       7. The device according to  claim 4 , wherein the second body is connected to the first body through a snap coupling. 
     
     
       8. The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one adjustment screw element for adjusting a position of the second body with respect to the first body. 
     
     
       9. The control device according to  claim 8 , wherein the second body comprises a portion that projects rearwardly with respect to the first body. 
     
     
       10. The control device according to  claim 8 , wherein upon activation of the adjustment screw element, the second body is configured to simultaneously adjust a grip surface of the control device and a distance of the brake control lever from the handlebar. 
     
     
       11. The device according to  claim 8 , wherein the at least one adjustment screw element comprises a screw/female screw coupling operatively arranged between the first body and the second body. 
     
     
       12. The device according to  claim 11 , wherein one from the screw and the female screw is associated with one from the first body and second body and the other from the screw and the female screw is associated with the other from the first body and second body. 
     
     
       13. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the second body is removably connected to the first body. 
     
     
       14. A control device configured for attachment to a handlebar of a bicycle, the control device comprising:
 a first body including an upper transversal surface and a lowermost surface, the upper transversal surface defines an upper transversal wall of the control device; 
 a brake control lever; 
 a second body that is distinct from the first body and in contact with the lowermost surface of the first body and having a lower surface which defines a lower transversal wall of the control device, wherein the first body and the second body combine to define a rearmost face of the control device that is configured to contact the handlebar; and 
 an outer coating sheath which covers the first body and second body. 
 
     
     
       15. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the second body is connected to the lowermost surface of the first body. 
     
     
       16. The device according to  claim 15 , wherein the lower transversal wall of the control device is defined in part by the lower surface of the first body and in part by the lower transversal surface of the second body. 
     
     
       17. The device according to  claim 15 , wherein the lower transversal wall of the control device is defined integrally by the lower surface of the second body. 
     
     
       18. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the second body, when connected to the first body, extends at least partially over the lowermost surface and at least one of an inner side surface, an outer side surface, and a rear surface of the first body. 
     
     
       19. A bicycle comprising the control device according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
       20. The control device according to  claim 1 , wherein the second body is connected to the first body at the lowermost surface of the first body and extends over a majority of the lowermost surface of the first body. 
     
     
       21. The control device according to  claim 1 , wherein each of an outer side wall and an inner side part of the control device has a respective surface parallel to a vertical intermediate reference plane P that passes through the control device. 
     
     
       22. The control device according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one adjustment member for adjusting the position of the second body with respect to the first body. 
     
     
       23. The control device according to  claim 1 , wherein the second body is configured to change a position of the brake control lever relative to the handlebar by rotating the brake control lever with respect to the handlebar. 
     
     
       24. The control device according to  claim 1 , wherein the second body mates with the first body and the handlebar. 
     
     
       25. A control device configured for attachment to a handlebar of a bicycle, the control device comprising:
 a first body that includes an upper transversal surface and a lowermost surface, the upper transversal surface defines an upper transversal wall of the control device; 
 a brake control lever that is distinct from the first body; and 
 a second body that is distinct from the first body and from the brake control lever and in contact with the lowermost surface of the first body, the second body being positioned entirely below the first body, the second body having a lower surface which defines a lower transversal wall of the control device.